Discerning of Spirits

1. The gift is listed at 1 Cor. 12:10:

A. diakrisis, plural nominative = evaluations, discernings
B. pneuma, genitive plural = of spirits, influence, breath, force

2. The gift is a divine ability to recognize the presence of a false teacher or a demon influence without hearing the content of the message.

3. This gift is a protective type gift for the early church before the canon of scripture was complete.

4. As more and more scripture was written and was circulated, the need for this gift decreased, and established doctrine became the guide for discerning the spirits.
1 Jn. 4:1-3; 1 Pet. 5:12; 2 Jn. 10; 2 Pet. 3:14-18

5. So then this gift is temporary and was set aside when the written canon of scripture was completed.

A. Its place in the temporary list of 1 Cor. 12:8-10
B. Comparison with the further teachings of scripture on the subject of discernment. We discern now through our knowledge of Divine viewpoint in the soul.

6. There is no indication that this gift was not provided for both men and women.

Return to Spiritual Gifts Index

İRon Wallace, http://www.biblefragrances.com. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it,
but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author's consent.

Home | Recent Additions | Studies | Commentary

Prophecy | Articles | Topical | About Us